CHICAGO, IL – One of the latest trends for Chicago’s soon-to-be newlyweds is using food trucks for their wedding receptions instead of booking traditional caterers.
Several wedding blogs have mentioned that Chicago natives are looking for inexpensive and creative ways to celebrate that special day.
“People are looking for more options to explore,” said Molly Schemper who works for Fig Catering. But, Schemper said Fig’s traditional catering business has not decreased even though this new trend has arrived.
“We’ve actually increased every year,” Schemper said. “We haven’t noticed any differences since the food trucks have popped up.”
The Slide Glide, a food-truck service, has done several wedding events, and their business can be found under unique services on The Knot, a wedding planning website for Chicago brides.
“Sometimes they want us to do the late night snacks after the reception,” said Nida Rodriguez, owner of The Slide Glide food truck. “Sometimes they hire us to have appetizers in between the church service and the reception as well so their guests can have something to snack on while they wait.”
Rodriguez said The Slide Glide has even done full wedding receptions. A unique thing about her business is that the servers are on skates.
Netta Stella and Colleen Gallagher started Pecan and Charlie’s Mobile Cupcakery, their food truck business, four months ago. They said the trend is not only for weddings, but for party events as well.
“We did an office party for Halloween and the clients had two other food trucks there set up outside for people to come and get whatever they wanted,” Gallagher said.
Stella and Gallagher are scheduled to make cupcakes for a couple in late April. This will be their first wedding event.
“People want something fun and different.” Gallagher said. “I think that’s why they are choosing food trucks now.”
Bride-to-be Alison Bullock is planning her wedding for next spring, but she hadn’t thought of having a food truck to cater.
Find the entire article by Donesha Aldridge at medill.northwestern.edu <here>
